I read your original post and love the defenders, i nearly bought one, but i went for the disco 300 tdi. Ive had it a year so far, it had rather a a LOT of welding to be done. New front wheel bearings, pads all round, full service, new camblet and pump etc all new parts, i blocked off the egr fitted a k+n filter, that does make a difference tbh, only thing ive got left to do is the dreaded sunroofs Ive tried to seal them but no joy, I'm going to do the clean them out and plumbers slip grease next, erm I'm a pipefitter , if this doesnt work they will be taken out and completley covered over with chequered plate, ive done all the work except the wheel bearings, it did take a while, last weeks job was to cut and polish the body work, the 300 is great to drive, it feels solid, ive had a TD5 in the past but this keep having loads of silly faults, so your choice of 300 is the right one, but check every where for rot, even if it has no sunroofs check for water in gress, get the mats up front and back get your hand in and chase the damp, wierdley They are great family taxis, i drive around a 120 miles a day back n forth to site so its not cheap. But atleast i get there in comfort